Caladium plant named ‘WWG 2320-373’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘WWG 2320-373’, characterized by its short to intermediate height; upright and mounding plant habit; dense and bushy appearance; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; lance-type leaves that are medium to dark green in color with bright white-colored centers and light green-colored venation; and petioles that are medium green in color with darker-colored stipples, streaks and tessellations.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘WWG 2320-373’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referred to as a lance leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘WWG 2320-373’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create new Caladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container and garden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in April, 2010 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum ‘Florida Sweetheart’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,526, as the female, or seed, parent with Caladium X hortulanum ‘White Wonder’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,044, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Caladium plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. in September, 2011.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by “chipping” the tubers (cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing an axillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nursery environment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2012 has shown that the unique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘WWG 2320-373’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘WWG 2320-373’ as a new and distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Short to intermediate in height and upright and mounding         plant habit; dense and bushy appearance.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   3. Lance-type leaves that are medium to dark green in color with         bright white-colored centers and light green-colored venation.     -   4. Petioles that are medium green in color with darker-colored         stipples, streaks and tessellations.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the female parent, ‘Florida Sweetheart’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium grow faster than plants of         ‘Florida Sweetheart’.     -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Florida Sweetheart’ differ in         leaf color as leaves of the new Caladium are medium to dark         green in color with bright white-colored centers and light         green-colored venation whereas leaves of ‘Florida Sweetheart’         have dark pink-colored venation, rose pink-colored interveinal         areas with greenish white-colored margins.     -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘Florida Sweetheart’ differ in         leaf petiole color as petioles of the new Caladium are medium         green in color with darker-colored stipples, streaks and         tessellations whereas petioles of ‘Florida Sweetheart’ are         pinkish tan with darker-colored stripes.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the male parent, ‘White Wonder’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium more mounding than and not as         upright as plants of ‘White Wonder’.     -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Wonder’ differ in leaf         color as leaves of the new Caladium are medium to dark green in         color with bright white-colored centers and light green-colored         venation whereas leaves of ‘White Wonder’ are white to         grey-green in color with light pink to white-colored venation         and dark green-colored borders.     -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Wonder’ differ in leaf         petiole color as petioles of the new Caladium are medium green         in color with darker-colored stipples, streaks and tessellations         whereas petioles of ‘White Wonder’ are greenish tan with         darker-colored stripes.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium X hortulanum ‘White Dynasty’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,240. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘White Dynasty’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium grow faster than plants of ‘White         Dynasty’.     -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Dynasty’ differ in leaf         color as leaves of the new Caladium are medium to dark green in         color with bright white-colored centers and light green-colored         venation whereas leaves of ‘White Dynasty’ are white and greyed         green with few random red purple-colored spots, dark         green-colored margins and greyed green-colored venation.     -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘White Dynasty’ differ in leaf         petiole color as petioles of the new Caladium are medium green         in color with darker-colored stipples, streaks and tessellations         whereas petioles of ‘White Dynasty’ are darker green in color         and tinged with brownish green.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium X hortulanum ‘RS-03-03’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,265. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of ‘RS-03-03’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are broader and wavier         than and not as narrow and flat as leaves of plants of         ‘RS-03-03’.     -   2. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘RS-03-03’ differ in leaf         color as leaves of the new Caladium are medium to dark green in         color with bright white-colored centers and light green-colored         venation whereas leaves of ‘RS-03-03’ are pearlescent white to         greenish white in color with dark green-colored margins and         white to greenish white-colored venation.     -   3. Plants of the new Caladium and ‘RS-03-03’ differ in leaf         petiole color as petioles of the new Caladium are medium green         in color with darker-colored stipples, streaks and tessellations         whereas petioles of ‘RS-03-03’ are darker green in color and         tinged with brown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical plant of ‘WWG 2320-373’ in a container and grown in a shadehouse (tuber de-eyed).

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a comparison view of typical potted plants of the female parent, ‘Florida Sweetheart’ (left), ‘WWG 2320-373’ (center) and the male parent, ‘White Wonder’ (right).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a comparison view of typical potted plants of ‘White Dynasty’ (left), ‘WWG 2320-373’ (center) and ‘RS-03-03’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet is a comparison view of typical plants of ‘WWG 2320-373’ grown in containers; the plant on the left has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on the right has had its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet is a close-up view of typical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of ‘WWG 2320-373’.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a side perspective view of typical plants of ‘WWG 2320-373’ grown in an open production field.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘WWG 2320-373’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in a polypropylene-covered shadehouse (30% light reduction) in Avon Park, Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions in an outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown under cultural practices typical of commercial shadehouse and outdoor nursery production. During the production of the shadehouse-grown plants, day temperatures ranged from about 28° C. to 33° C., night temperatures ranged from about 22° C. to 25° C. and light levels were about 8,000 foot-candles. During the production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants, day temperatures ranged from about 29° C. to 35° C., night temperatures ranged from about 23° C. to 26° C. and light levels ranged from 10,000 to 12,000 foot-candles. Plants grown in the shadehouse were twelve weeks old and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were 7.5 months old when the photographs and the detailed description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘WWG 2320-373’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Florida             Sweetheart’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,526.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘White             Wonder’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,044. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at             temperatures about 32° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at             temperatures about 24° C.         -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown             plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented; individual segments             irregular to ovate in shape. Height: About 4.1 cm. Diameter:             About 6.8 cm to 8.5 cm. Segment height: About 2.6 cm to             3.4 cm. Segment diameter: About 2.5 cm to 3 cm. Axillary bud             size: About 4 mm by 6 mm. Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat             brittle. Color: Epidermis, freshly-harvested: Lighter than             182D. Epidermis, dried: Close to 200A. Cortical tissue:             Close to 4D. Axillary buds: Close to 38C and 38D. Root             description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots with few             lateral branches; color, close to 155C faintly tinged with             close to 182D. Rooting habit: Medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant             in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape             plant in shaded areas.         -   Plant and growth habit.—Short to intermediate in height and             upright to mounded plant habit; dense and bushy appearance;             vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; potted plants             finish in saleable form in about seven weeks after planting             tubers; leaf petioles and leaves arise from one or more             growing points on tubers; leaf petioles initially upright             and outwardly leaning to arching with development.         -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane,             shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 23 cm to 29 cm.         -   Plant height, from soil level to top of inflorescences,             shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 25.2 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread, shadehouse-grown potted             plants.—About 44 cm to 48 cm.         -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,             tubers not de-eyed.—About three to four develop per #1             tuber.         -   Number of shoots per plant, shadehouse-grown potted plants,             tubers de-eyed.—About four to five develop per #1 tuber.         -   Cataphylls, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Length: About             4.7 cm. Width: About 1.2 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex:             Acuminate. Base: Sheathing the stem. Color, inner surface:             Close to 155C; colors and patterns on the outer surface are             visible on the inner surface. Color, outer surface: Close to             156D and 146D tinged with close to 199B, streaked and             stippled with close to 200C; with development, color             becoming closer to 200B. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; lance-type.         -   Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 16 cm to 21             cm.         -   Width, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—About 8.5 cm to 13             cm; when flattened, about 10.8 cm to 14.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate to lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.         -   Base.—Sagittate to peltate.         -   Margin.—Entire; wavy with broad undulations.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; dull             sheen.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glaucous with a dull sheen.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants.—Developing and fully             developed leaves, upper surface: Background color: Close to             155C. Towards the margins: Close to 147A and 147B. Leaf             edge: Narrow, close to 157D. Basal notch: Close to N186D.             Leaf attachment point: Close to 183A. Midvein and primary             venation: Close to 147D and 194D. Interveinal areas: Close             to 157C, 157D and 194C with specks, close to 147A and 147B.         -   Developing and fully developed leaves, lower             surface.—Background color: Close to 155C. Towards the             margins: Close to 191A and close to 191A tinged with close             to 189A. Leaf edge: Close to 157D. Basal notch: Close to             N186C. Leaf attachment point: Close to N186D. Midvein: Close             to 147C and 147D. Primary venation: Close to 147C and 146C.             Lateral venation: Close to 147A, 147C and close to 147C             tinged with close to 146C. Interveinal areas: Close to 155C             to whiter than 155C.         -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight and             outwardly leaning and arching with development; flexible.             Length, shadehouse-grown potted plants: About 18 cm to             24 cm. Diameter, distally, shadehouse-grown potted plants:             About 3.5 mm to 5 mm. Diameter, proximally, shadehouse-grown             potted plants: About 6 mm to 8 mm. Texture: Smooth,             glabrous. Color, shadehouse-grown potted plants: When             developing and fully developed: Close to 147C and close to             147C tinged with 146C, stippled, streaked and tessellated             with close to 147B; may also be tinged and flushed with             close to 199B and faintly stippled, streaked and tessellated             with close to 200D; distally, close to 147D tinged with             close to 145D. Wing length, shadehouse-grown potted plants:             About 3 cm to 5.5 cm. Wing diameter, shadehouse-grown potted             plants: About 6 mm. Texture and luster, inner and outer             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; dull. Wing color,             shadehouse-grown potted plants: Inner surface: Close to             155C; colors and patterns on the outer surface are visible             on the inner surface. Outer surface: Close to 156D and 146D             tinged with close to 199B, stippled and streaked with close             to 200C and 200D. -   Inflorescence description: Inflorescences observed on seven week-old     shadehouse-grown potted plants.     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes             surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape;             spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers             separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the             proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on             the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop             at junction of female and male flower zones; near this             junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses             the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male             flowers.         -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with camphor note.         -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the             new Caladium typically flower during the spring in central             Florida; flowers develop about seven weeks after growth             commences; inflorescences last about three days before             fading; inflorescences persistent.         -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 8.7 cm. Length, distal open             portion: About 6.4 cm. Length, proximal closed portion:             About 2.3 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 2.7 cm.             Depth, distal open portion: About 1.6 cm. Width, at             constriction: About 1.5 cm. Width, proximal closed portion:             About 2.4 cm. Shape, open portion: Elliptic to slightly             obovate. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire;             smooth. Texture and luster, front surface: Smooth, glabrous;             dull. Texture and luster, rear surface: Smooth, glabrous;             dull, proximally, slightly glaucous. Color, front surface:             Distal open portion: Close to 150D; margins, close to 155C;             with development, color becoming closer to 199A and N199B.             Proximal closed portion: Close to 147D; color does not             change with development. Color, rear surface: Distal open             portion: Close to 154D; margins tinged with close to 155C;             color does not change with development. Proximal closed             portion: Close to 147B and 147C; random areas, close to 147D             and 145D; color does not change with development.         -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 6.6 cm. Length, male flower             zone: About 4.3 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 9 mm.             Length, female flower zone: About 1.4 cm. Diameter, male             flower zone: About 1 cm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:             About 7 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 1 cm. Shape:             Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate.             Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone: Close to 145C and             145D. Color, mature, sterile zone: Close to N155C to N155D.             Color, mature, female zone: Close to 159D and N170D. Male             flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 180. Shape: Obovate.             Height: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm to 3 mm.             Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 4D. Female             flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 108. Shape: Obovate.             Height: About 2.5 mm. Diameter: About 1.8 mm to 2.2 mm.             Stigma color: Close to 159D. Ovary color: Close to N170D.         -   Scape.—Length: About 16.5 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Strength: Sturdy; flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture             and luster: Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen. Color: Close to             147C and close to 147C tinged with close to 146C and faintly             stippled, streaked and tessellated with close to 147B;             distally, close to 147D tinged with close to 146D.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have             not been observed on plants of the new Caladium. -   Pathogen & pest tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been     observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and above     average tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new     Caladium have not been observed to have resistance to pests and     other pathogens common to Caladium plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed     to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 7° C. to about     40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler     zones, tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a     cool dry environment to overwinter for re-planting the following     spring. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘WWG 2320-373’ as illustrated and described. 